Adam Lallana: Liverpool won't underestimate Blackburn Rovers

Adam Lallana says Liverpool are not underestimating Blackburn Rovers when the two side's meet in the quarter-final of the FA Cup at Anfield on Sunday.

The Reds have been in excellent form and recent victories against Manchester City and Burnley in the Premier League have moved them up to fifth place, just two points behind Manchester United in fourth.

Wins against AFC Wimbledon, Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace have seen Liverpool qualify for the last eight of the FA Cup for the first time since 2012.

Brendan Rodgers has still not reached Wembley since he took the helm at Anfield and a win against Blackburn would finally break the Northern Irishman's duck.

On paper, Liverpool have one of the easiest fixtures of the quarter-finals facing a Blackburn side who sit 10th in the Championship and have won just four of their last ten games.

However, Lallana knows the shocks that the FA Cup can produce and believes his side have a difficult task at the weekend.

"It is a great competition in which we have a great chance of getting to Wembley in the semi-final," the England international told the club's official website.

"We won't underestimate Blackburn, we will dust ourselves down, recover well and go again Sunday.

"A lot of the big guns went out in the early rounds so it is good that we can maybe capitalise on that, but Blackburn will not be an easy game. They will come here full of optimism and will want to cause an upset."

Trophy Draught

After crashing out of the League Cup, Champions League and Europa League, as well as trailing league-leaders Chelsea by 12 points in the top flight, the FA Cup is realistically the only piece of silverware can win this season.

At the beginning of the campaign, Rodgers admitted the a trophy was Liverpool's principle aim.

Still yet to win a cup at the Merseyside club, the former Swansea City boss will be desperate to write himself into Anfield history.

2006 is the last time Liverpool won the FA Cup thanks to a Steven Gerrard masterclass and this year's competition takes place on 30th May - the date of Gerrard's 35th birthday.

With the Reds' skipper leaving for Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season, both he and his team-mates will be desperate for Gerrard to bow out in style.

If there is one year that Liverpool have a more realistic chance of winning the FA Cup, it is this year.

Already Premier League leaders Chelsea and second-placed Manchester City have been knocked out of the tournament, likewise Everton, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton.

Arsenal are the current favourite to win the competition, however, they could not have got a more difficult draw as they face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

With another leading side doomed to crash out of the competion, Liverpool's chances of meeting another easier side in the semi-final - if they see off Blackburn - will become much greater.

Blackburn will likely be gritty when they come to Anfield and look to force a replay at Ewood Park. In their last tie, the Red Roses cruised to a 4-1 win against Premier League outfit Stoke City and confidence will be high.

Seize the opportunity

However, the Merseyside club are improving as every game passes. Their performances against Manchester City and Burnley were two of the best all season, dominating each game and become the form side of English football.

Jordan Henderson has thrived in the centre-of-midfield and taken the responsibility of captaining the Reds superbly. His goals against the Citizens and Burnley were both top-draw and reflected his performances of late.

Philippe Coutinho and Lallana have been operated behind the striker and have formed a fantastic partnership, exposing pockets and playing neat one-two's to create chances for their side.

Liverpool fans: How do you think Brendan Rodgers' side will fare against Blackburn on Sunday? Leave a score prediction in the comment box below!

Do YOU want to write for GiveMeSport? Get started today by signing-up and submitting an article HERE: http://gms.to/writeforgms

Report author of article

DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

Want more content like this?

Like our GiveMeSport Facebook Page and you will get this directly to you.